BEST PRACTICES

Protect our country’s natural heritage while exploring all it has to offer by following these low-impact travel principles

This summer, whether you’re exploring one of the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC’s) Nature Destinations, discovering one of our country’s national or provincial parks or strolling through a local park, keep in mind the following principles outlined by Leave No Trace Canada. NCC has partnered with Leave No Trace Canada to promote and endorse the organization’s low-impact travel principles. Please note that camping and campfires are not permitted on any NCC property.

Plan ahead and prepare

Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’re visiting.

Prepare for extreme weather, hazards and emergencies.

Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.

Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of four to six.

Repackage food to minimize waste.

Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

Travel and camp on durable surfaces

Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.

Protect riverbank areas by camping at least 70 metres from lakes and streams.

Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.

In popular areas:

Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.

Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.</li